Description

The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the intersections of socioeconomic status, social circumstances and experiences that may be potential mediators or protectors for the risk of preterm birth across a socioeconomically diverse sample of pregnant Black women. Our aim of this study is to better understand the chronic stressors and protective resources that may affect the instances of preterm birth and the health outcomes of pregnant Black women. Our research questions are: how do Black women from varying degrees of social advantage conceptualize and experience stress, and what tools of resilience and mechanisms of coping do they engage when experiencing stress during their pregnancy? This study will deeply explore a range of stress producing circumstances across different life domains and describe the resources and mechanisms Black women engage to mitigate its effects.